05-11-1999 Council Minutes Special City Council Meeting

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ORONO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MAY 11, 1999 There were no questions by the City Council Members of City Staff. C. Presentation by Applicants Edge Jackson, President of Woodhill Country Club, stated he is a resident of Orono and resides on Woodhill Road. Jackson commented that he has requested that the members of the Country Club refrain from contacting the City Council members regarding this application. Jackson stated due to safety concerns that the Club had regarding the use of County Road 15, the Club had decided to reopen the access to Woodhill Road, which the Club felt was within its legal rights. But the Club's position resulted, however, in lengthy and expensive litigation with the City. Woodhill Country Club subsequently drafted a settlement proposal, which was presented to the City, and the Country Club elected to apply for a conditional use permit to reopen the access. Jackson remarked that the Club's proposal to the City takes into account the various safety concerns that have arisen with the high traffic volume on County Road 15 and the dangerous left hand turns onto County Road 15 from Orono Orchard Road and into the Country Club. If access to Woodhill Road is granted, it is the Club's opinion that there will be a minimum impact to the traffic levels currently experienced on Woodhill Avenue. Given the new environment that now exists in that area, it is Woodhill Country Club's view that this proposal is the best solution for all parties involved as well as the general public that currently uses County Road 15. • Jim McCarthy, Attorney -at -Law with Lindquist & Vennum, reviewed his May 11, 1999 letter • regarding Woodhill Country Club's application for amendment to the 1968 conditional use permit. The Traffic Management Study by the City's engineering firm illustrates the dangerous traffic safety problem faced by Woodhill Country Club members and the general public on Highway 15 in front of Woodhill Country Club and at Orono Orchard Road. The average daily traffic count in June of 1998, was approximately 22,000 vehicles, which is estimated to increase to 27,000 near Orono Orchard Road in future years. McCarthy stated Woodhill is requesting that access be granted off of Woodhill Avenue to Club members from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., which will be secured at night by a security gate. Commercial traffic will not be allowed to access the Country Club through this road. The access is intended to help members to the west and north of the Club by providing an alternate traffic route. McCarthy remarked that the Zoning Administrator's report do not identify any significant safety issues with the Club's application related to traffic impacts on Woodhill Avenue; noting that the Club is willing to deal with any outstanding issues that still remain. McCarthy noted that the residents in the neighborhood prefer that the road not be paved, which is also the desire of the Country Club, but if the City requires a paved road, the Country Club is willing to abide by that condition. McCarthy commented that it is not the Club's intent to make this access look too desirable to avoid attracting higher levels of traffic than what is desired. McCarthy stated that the road was not regraded but a new load of gravel was spread over the road, noting that the grade of the road has remained the same for approximately 100 years, but that the Country Club is willing to work with City Staff if need be to alter the grade of the road. McCarthy remarked that Woodhill Country Club's existing conditional use permit does not have any review triggers or provisions for annual reviews, and it would be the Club's request that this • issue be discussed in further detail, noting that the Club at this time would strongly oppose that Page 6